Evidence Intermediary Organisations: How can they better connect research, policy and practice?

What are the best ways for Evidence Intermediary Organisations to connect research with policy and practice? 

In June 2022 we hosted three Zoom events providing practical advice from the leaders of these bodies - and funders, researchers, and practitioners - from Europe, Africa, North America, the Middle East, and Latin America. Recordings are available now using the links below. 

The discussions were aimed at anybody with an interest in intermediary organisations – in the public sector, NGOs, funding bodies, think-tanks, and universities. 

07 June Session 1: SYSTEMS - How can evidence intermediary bodies work in a wider system?
21 June Session 2: ADVOCACY - Should intermediary organisations be involved in advocacy?
28 June Session 3: THE FUTURE - What would better look like?

Programme and Session Overview

Session 1: SYSTEMS - 17.00 to 18.15 BST (London), 07 June 2022
How can evidence intermediary bodies work in a wider system?

Evidence intermediaries cannot work in isolation. Their core purpose is to work with different communities, and operate in a wider system, including the ‘supply side’ of universities and other producers of research, as well as the ‘demand side’ in policy and practice. But how can intermediaries navigate and influence this wider system?

Confirmed speakers and panellists include:

• Vivian Tseng, Senior Vice President, WT Grant Foundation, US
• Dez Holmes, Director, Research in Practice, UK
• Fadi El-Jardali, Director, Knowledge to Policy (K2P) Center, Lebanon
• Kirchuffs Atengble, Executive Director, PACKS Africa, Ghana

Session 2: ADVOCACY - 17.00 to 18.15 BST (London), 21 June 2022
Should intermediary organisations be involved in advocacy?

Many intermediaries know they cannot passively wait for elected officials and public servants to come to them for evidence. Even as neutral ‘honest brokers’ they need to proactively engage policymakers, including promoting the value of some types of evidence. Should intermediaries take on this role? If so, what are best ways for intermediaries to manage politics, politicians and government whilst sustaining political independence and non-partisanship?

Confirmed speakers and panellists include:

• Oliver Bennett, Director, Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, UK
• Steve Martin, Director, Wales Centre for Public Policy, UK
• Christine Weidenslaufer, Legislative Advisor, Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile
• Amber Mace, Chief Executive, California Council on Science and Technology, US

Session 3: THE FUTURE - 17.00 to 18.30 BST (London), 28 June 2022
What would better look like?

New evidence intermediaries are being constantly set up around the world. But many work in silos – and don’t learn from other sectors or countries. Is there more we can do to collaborate? How do we manage competition and lack of coherence?

Confirmed speakers and panellists include:

• Annette Boaz, Co-Director, Transforming Evidence
• Dr Olivia Stevenson, Deputy Director of UCL Public Policy, University College London, UK
• Itzhak Yanovitzky, Professor of Communication, Rutgers University, US
• Dr John Lavis, Co-Director, Global Evidence Commission, Canada
• Rose Oronje, PhD, Director, Public Policy & Knowledge Translation, & Head of Kenya Office, African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP), Kenya

For questions about the event, email us on: info@tranforming-evidence.org